Functional results of hip arthroplasty with acrylic prosthesis

Author summary

The results of 340 patients who underwent arthroplasty from 1948 – 1952 for trauma or osteoarthritis using an acrylic Judet prosthesis are reviewed. Early results (< 2 years) indicate the importance of restoration of the normal mechanics of the hip joint by the preservation or the restoration of normal length of the femoral neck, the exact correction of the anteversion, and the precise fit of the prosthetic head into the acetabulum. Late results show deterioration of the functional results in 20% of patients that appears to be caused by bone absorption around the Judet prosthesis and consequent loosening of the prosthesis. Use of a new type of cervicocapital prosthesis is proposed that aims to decrease the incidence and effects of bone absorption by better distribution of pressure on the bone, and particularly to decrease mobility of the prosthesis.